Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1887-04-15
" Let Us Have Peace"

y
"Let Us Have Peace"
The STANDARD seeks no controversy
especially with its political friends
Forbearance has ever been promi
nent characteristic of its course, even
in dealing with the acts of those CD
posed to the principles for which il
has 80 long contended. Ever since the
Administration passed under Demo
cratic control, realizing the difficulties
encountered in a radical change oil
policy on public affairs, it has studi
ously endeavored to adapt itself to the
situation, and to acquiesce in all acts
OF public officers which did not imply
an absolute surrender of the vantage
ground which the great contest of 1884
placed within their keeping. In the
issues of past two weeks it has deemed
it an imperative duty, as well as a
privilege of American citizenship, to
criticise, in general terms, q policy
which has retained in the minor pub.
lie Offices men who have the past
twenty years been psrniciously active
partisans in the ranks of the Republi.
can party. It did so in a gentleman.
ly manner, in general terms, and in a
fraternal spirit, and without the slight.
est prospect Of any recompense, except
that afforded by q consciousness oil
having performed duty incumbent
upon it as a party journalist.
It is q matter of regret that the en-.
deavor has not been met, in one quar-.
ter at least, in the same spirit. The
Register of the Olympia Land Office
takes exception to this course, and in a
public place violently condemned
these mild structures, and proclaimed
their author ignorant of the subject on
which he had commented. This, Of
course, places the STANDARD on the
defensive, and even Mr.. Ostrander
must realize that q reply is necessary,
even if it trenches somewhat upon the
nature Of personality.
The writer has carefully re-read his
articles entitled 1.-THE Mugwumpiau
Policy" +" Home Rule Should Rule, I"
Z" Is it Reform-or What" and Some
Things we Don't Like to See," and af.
firms that he is unable to find q single
sentence that is not true and justified
by facts; nor is there anything at all
overdrawn. The statements are true
the logic sound and the conclusions
Irresistible: They meet with . cordial
endorsement by . large majority OIL
the people, irrespective Of party, and
unless they are likewise Ignorant
the verdict has the force of that of an
impartial and conscientious jury
But who is it that makes the charge
Of ignorance" and what special quail.
i6cations does he possess for making
it, Born and reared in the Territory
where he has spent nearly his whole
life, it is useless for him to assume
that he has enjoyed any very superior
opportunities for obtaining knowl.
edge that would qualify him for cen.
sor. The paper speaks for itself. II
has been success, unaided by the pa
tronage Of Office. It's publisher has not
been compelled to 60 outside of his
legitimate calling to earn . livelihood
nor has he become o chronic ONCE.
seeker from the want of that degree Of
application and talent necessary to
conduct private business with salts
factory results. It is fair to presume
when twenty-seven years have been
passed on trial, under these circum.
stances, that he is fairly qualified TO,
the discharge Of the duties incumbent
upon him, and it will require some.
thing more than angry denunciation,
from such a source, to convince any.
body to the contrary.
When Mr.. Ostrander received the
appointment of Register, the STANDARD
was among the first to rejoice. 1t be.
lieved him to be a true Democrat, and
in close sympathy with his party
friends. 1t approved of his determi.
nation TO retain the Republican clerks
in his Office until he had become ia.
miliar with the duties, but no further
Ample time has been afforded for this
instruction, and this paper has long
refrained from giving expression to the
prevailing sentiment among party
friends, that the time for . change Of
subordinates had arrived. So long has
it been delayed that this will probably
be the first intimation he will receive
that even agents of the Administration,